Let’s get real—taking care of ourselves can be difficult. Especially when we’re, as Khalid would say, “young, dumb, and broke.” Luckily, there are all kinds of resources and small things we can do to start taking care of ourselves and living independently.
Being independent is not only great for our self-esteem and self-image, but it is also vital to be a functioning member of society. Even if one of our parents or a significant other is “taking care” of us, that doesn’t mean we don’t have to learn to do the things they do for us ourselves. I mean, what do we expect to do if something happens to them?
While there’s so much conflicting information out there, there are some things that are nearly always true. Check out the top 5 things we need to start doing for ourselves.
Get Your Health In Check
Not only is it just a basic life skill to be able to care for ourselves but being able to do it the right way is something we need to take upon ourselves to do. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the leading causes of death and disability in the United States are preventable diseases like heart disease, type two diabetes, and cancer. While heredity does play a role in these diseases, the CDC notes that the prevalence of these diseases is because too many Americans aren’t taking proper care of themselves. Too many of us are smoking, eating too much sodium, not eating enough fruits and vegetables, gaining too much weight, and not getting enough exercise. By changing these bad habits and getting regular medical screenings to prevent health problems, we can live a longer and healthier life.
Tip: if we’re having trouble getting adequate medical coverage, consider applying for Agile short term health insurance to help us receive much needed medical screenings.
Make Your Own Bold Choices
According to Dr. Abigail Brenner, who wrote an article for Psychology Today in 2015, some people can jump into life easily, but others will actively avoid changes and decision making even though, according to her, “Good decision-making is one of the most important life skills to own”. Therefore, it baffles her that so many people enter their adult years without being able to make decisions for themselves. The harsh reality of the matter is that only we can decide what will make us happy and fulfilled. We must decide for ourselves.
Honor Your Emotional Well-Being
Life is stressful for everyone. However, it gets way more stressful when we’re ignoring our mental health and letting issues like depression and anxiety go untreated. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the US, and yet, only 36.9 percent of those suffering from an anxiety disorder seek treatment.
If we’re struggling with a mental health issue (particularly anxiety) then we should consider making an appointment at the Ross Center in New York City where their team of doctors specializes in anxiety disorders.
Believe In Something And Stand By It
Whether it’s a God or a cause, it’s important for our emotional well being to know what we believe and why we believe it. While it’s impossible to know whether we’re being influenced by outside sources and/or personal discomfort and emotions; it’s important to try and address these issues head-on. To truly know what we believe and why.
Master Basic Upkeeping Tasks
If one more 20-something guy says he can’t do laundry—I might lose my mind. Being able to do basic things like cooking, cleaning, laundry, and being able to budget effectively are all things we should know how to do for ourselves.
Knowing basic life skills makes us more self-reliant and saves us money. Plus, according to a study reported on by Johns Hopkins in 2014, people who cook at home instead of going out are healthier due to consuming fewer calories and overall healthier meals.
